Mantle wedge flow patterns in subduction zones
By Ikuko Wada (University of Minnesota)
Host: Thorsten Becker
Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:30am - 11:30am
Abstract: Subduction zones host a number of important geophysical and geochemical processes, such as earthquakes and arc volcanism. The occurrence of these processes depends strongly on the thermal structure of subduction zones. The pattern of solid-state mantle wedge flow above the subducting slab is an important factor that controls the subduction zone thermal structure. This flow is driven by the motion of the subducting slab and brings in hot mantle from the back-arc region into the sub-arc region, maintaining a high temperature condition required for arc volcanism and promoting dehydration of the subducting slab underneath. In this talk, I will present the results of my past numerical modeling studies, focusing on the trench-ward extent of mantle wedge flow and the effects of slab geometry, oblique subduction, and back-arc thermal structure on three-dimensional mantle wedge flow patterns.
